Hanley Ramirez played video games to practice playing third base for first time since 2012
Ramirez used video games to practice playing 3B
Hanley Ramirez may be redefining the term super utility man. The shortstop-turned-third-baseman-turned-shortstop-again-turned-left-fielder had to make one more appearance in the infield on Tuesday night.
With Xander Bogaerts out with a sore knee and Pablo Sandoval exiting in the sixth inning with a bruised foot, the Red Sox were forced to move their new left fielder to third base.
Fortunately, he was ready. No, not because he had been practicing out there, but because he had been playing video games.
Said the third baseman-for-a-night when asked if he had played there at all during Spring Training:
And as for whether he needs any practice, well, he has an answer for that:
Hanley Ramirez doesn't need practice to play third base again. https://t.co/6I7r6BCECv
- Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 15, 2015 This is all great news for the not-athletically-gifted people like myself. While I washed out of baseball in Little League, I've devoted years of my life to perfecting my skills in baseball video games. So should the Red Sox need any players to come and fill in for a few games, I'm available.
Tuesday was also the first time that Ramirez had played at the hot corner since Aug. 1, 2012, though it turns out the team had no reason to worry. There wasn't a ball hit to third once he moved to the position.